Student Member Spotlight: Kimberly Arnold

May 17, 2017 12:00 PM

APPAM honors those student and professional members who are dedicated to the public policy profession and stewards of APPAM's mission. Each month, both a new student and professional member will be featured in out Member Spotlight series. Interested in being in the spotlight? Email Meghan Grenda for more information.

What policy school do you attend and what is your degree program?

I am a doctoral student in the Department of Health Policy and Management (HPM) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. I am studying health and public policy with a specialization in social policy and health.

What is your expected graduation date?

I plan to graduate in May 2019.

What are your post-graduation plans?

I plan to secure a post-doctoral fellowship or a tenure-track faculty position after graduation.

What is your policy focus and why?

My current policy focus is housing and healthy community development, because inequalities in housing and neighborhood characteristics contribute to the perpetuation of health disparities. Many low income communities lack access to nutritious and affordable foods, safe places to exercise outdoors, and quality schools. Policy has the potential to reverse the negative impacts of residential segregation and concentrated poverty, and improve the quality of neighborhoods for disadvantaged populations.

How did you first get involved with APPAM?

I joined APPAM a month after starting my doctoral program in the fall of 2015. I heard about the organization during a seminar, and immediately knew that I wanted to join.

Why do you stay active in APPAM?

I stay active in APPAM because it keeps me informed on cutting edge policy research, provides me with the opportunity to network with students and professionals at conferences and other events, and contributes to my professional development as a health and public policy researcher. I recently served on the Steering Committee for the 2017 APPAM DC Regional Student Conference, which provides graduate students with a platform to present their research and receive feedback from faculty members. I co-moderated the Policy Career Paths Workshop and the Presentation Skills Workshop. It was a great experience, and I look forward to presenting my research at next year’s conference.

What APPAM tools/resources do you use most often?

I primarily use the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management and the APPAM website. I also follow APPAM on social media for real-time updates.

Hobbies or fun fact:

In addition to being actively involved in APPAM, I am a Teaching Assistant for health policy courses and a Research Assistant for the Center for Health Disparities Solutions. I also serve as the Co-Chair of HPM’s Student Coordinating Council, a member of HPM’s Diversity Committee, and Vice President of the JHBSPH Black Graduate Student Association.